Abstract This paper discusses the Seventh Day Adventists Church, its history and its basic tenants. The paper compares the beliefs and practices of Seventh Day Adventists to members of other Christian denominations and particularly Protestant groups from which the Seventh Day Adventists originated. The author also points to similarities to other Christian sects that also believe in the literal interpretation of the bible.
From the Paper "Furthermore, Seventh-Day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday and not Sunday with most other Protestants. Their ascription to the traditional Jewish Sabbath also stems from the Adventists' firm belief in a literal interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. A significant feature of the Seventh - day Adventist religion is the promotion of an almost ascetic lifestyle. Abstinence from alcohol and tobacco is a core tenet. Moreover, the Adventists promote Biblical dietary guidelines similar to kosher practices. Finally, Adventists uphold Ellen White as a prophet."
Tags:churchprotestantsprophetreligonchrist, seventh day adventists, baptists presbyterians methodists god
Abstract This paper uses ideological criticism to attempt to discover the true ideology behind the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). In order to fully understand the ideology of this religious sect, it dissects it through Neo-Aristotelian and cluster criticism methods which allow the paper to separate specific elements of the speeches and display the full effect that rhetoric has in the FLDS belief system.
Outline
Nature of the Ideology
Research Question
Method
Ideological Criticism
Neo-Aristotelian Criticism
Cluster Criticism
Ideology of the FLDS
Three Artifacts: A Look Behind the Real Ideology
Contribution to Rhetorical Theory
From the Paper "Through this close analysis of speeches made by Warren Jeffs it is obvious that the FLDS seem to have, in their minds at least, a hegemonic ideology. They believe that they are the chosen ones on earth and that anyone who disagrees with what the Prophet says is deemed unworthy, ultimately placing themselves above every other non-FLDS member person in the world. They abide closely to the Prophet's word and are brought up from a young age embedded with the belief that the Prophet really is a human representation of God on earth. Jeffs uses an intense level of ethos in the beginning of each of his lectures and sermons. By cutting the FLDS members off from the radio, most television stations, and other outside influences, the Prophet is able to mold the minds of these young members from an early age."
Abstract This paper describes the La Placita Church of Los Angeles. The paper explains that this is the oldest Catholic church in Los Angeles and has been operational for more than 200 years. The paper also points out that through its history and its commitment to Los Angeles' immigrant population, La Placita has become an important cultural center in the city. The paper then describes the services, the clergy and the people who pray at the church. In conclusion, the paper describes the architecture of the building in which the church is housed.
Outline:
Services
People Working
People Praying
Dress Code
Parking
Fees
Building
From the Paper "La Placita was founded in 1784 as a chapel, but the building expanded and the church was finally completed in 1822. La Placita is so old that it has surveyor posts in front of the church that mark the original territorial boundaries of Los Angeles ("Explore El Pueblo"). Olvera Street consists of 27 historic buildings designed with typical Mexican style, and La Placita is one of them ("Olvera Street"). The church is a light, earth-tone color and is constructed in the traditional colonial Spanish architecture style. It has a small round protrusion in the center - somewhat reminiscent of the Alamo - with two angels beneath it. The interior of the church is famous for its ornate displays of wrought iron, gold leaf and various religious murals ("El Pueblo de Los Angeles")."
Abstract This paper gives the author's personal impressions of a stained glass window depicting the life of Christ. The window, located at the Riverside Church in New York, is described and reflected upon by the author.
From the Paper "The stained glass window that I saw was one of Christ as an adult showing images like the story on a child's picture book. The bright colored lights that seemed to glow out of the sun into the vast dark stone structure. I loved those vivid images that showed facial expressions in such detail and accuracy. The path of the images that made a story was structured rather like an inverted ?U?. The middle of the arch showed the images of Christ and his disciples perhaps The Last Supper. I could not give all the information in accurate detail because there were some images that I thought more striking to me than the others. "
Abstract A discussion of the influence of Protestant Reformations on State Sovereignty of the European States. The author discusses the way religion evolved from being a comforting concept of ever-lasting life to a powerful tool of reign. The author looks at the fall of the domination of the Christian church and how, as a result, the Protestant Reformation brought about a new school of thought and political structure independent of church.
From the Paper "The events of the Protestant Reformation that spawned through Europe at the beginning of that century came as a result of the corruption and domination of the church, and their purpose was to restore Christianity and its original mission. The aftermath of those events, however, went beyond cleansing of the church, and allowed not only for other religions to be born, but also for the European states to reclaim secular governments and ruling independent of the church."
Tags: christian, religion, state, politics, government, gods, church
Abstract The writer of this paper contends that Warren's main goal is to teach others about the cause of Christ. This paper details the contents of Warren's book while discussing the author's opinion regarding the myths attached with growing churches. The author tackles the argument that large churches are only concerned with attendance. This paper examines the church's general premise, which according to Warren, begins with a solid foundation, which builds morale and reduces frustration. Warren describes how churches can turn attenders into members, by implementing a plan that assimilates new members by focusing on congregational needs. This paper discusses Warren's suggestions and strategies for improving the current situation in churches across America. This paper also lists the five main purposes of the church, according to the author, which include loving the Lord, loving one's neighbor and teaching obedience.
From the Paper "The following section focuses on how a church becomes purpose driven. This begins with a solid foundation, which can be set forth with a purpose statement. This, in Warren's opinion, builds morale and reduces frustration. In addition, a church's purpose is not created as much as it is discovered. Purpose statements are biblical, specific, transferable, and measurable. In this section, Warren also goes over five purposes o the church, which include loving the Lord, loving one's neighbor, making disciples, baptism, and teaching obedience. Warren also discusses communication and organizing the body of the church around the church's purpose. Part of this plan includes the five circles of commitment, which are community, crowd, congregation, the committed, and the core."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that before professional historians seriously turned their attention to the Reformation as an all-encompassing historical phenomenon during the 1960s, church historians, who held partisan views of the religious conflict from their respective denominational positions, believed that conflict between Protestants and Catholics boiled down simply to one of difference in theological doctrine. The writer discusses that what was highly ironical was that Catholic theologians, who couched the conflict in rather negative terms, peacefully agreed with their protestant counterparts that it was about individualism. The writer maintains that a complicated picture of conflict, in which a variety of different historical actors brought with them their own agendas, has contributed to the richness of how the Reformation unfolded. The writer concludes that even though the Protestant-Catholic divide had its narrowly religious aspects, it would be foolish to think that people caught up within the forces of Reformation operated merely out of a stern belief in their own faiths.
From the Paper "By contrast to church and traditional historians, these up-and-coming scholars came to the understanding that conflict was far more complex than the top-down accounts that had informed the writings of scholars in the past: conflict in fact involved a multitude of messy motivations that took place within equally disparate social, economic, regional as well as national backgrounds. Most crudely, Marxist historians, whose influence on social historians should not be discounted, brought about this change of perspective first. By seeking the cause of conflict not in the doctrine of individual spiritual renewal, but in the inherent social and economic inequalities that persisted within both pre- and post-Reformation Europe, they radically endeavoured to shift the emphasis away completely from the purely religious aspects of the Reformation. What these left-wing historians saw, as they looked at the state of early modern Europe, was not a landscape that was tectonically divided between Protestants and Catholics, but one that was classified between the rich and the poor. Reacting to the aristocracy of feudal nobles, who had for so long controlled land and labour, it was the bourgeois, living within the towns, whose sense of injustice led to them to rise up against their social superiors. More specifically, within the towns, it was the patricians who took the side of Catholicism, while tradesmen and merchants, who were cold-shouldered by the establishment, came to support Protestantism in an attempt to overturn this hierarchy."
Abstract The author of this paper attended a Jehovah's Witness service "Memorial for Christ's Death" (akin to a Passover Celebration or Easter Service). In a personal observation, the author notes the social interaction and comments on the differences between members and "outsiders". Details of the service are also included, textually and graphically.
From the Paper "I do feel that the people I met were sincere in their belief that they were practicing God's will, but what was the "hidden agenda". I definitely conformed to the social standard operating procedures regardless of my religion. Their meeting place, the "Kingdom Hall" is subtle thus reinforcing the passive attitude of the attendees. I think way the Witnesses dressed distinguishes them from society. Even though I was clean and presentable I felt different. I think that they present themselves as interested (introducing themselves) and helpful (sharing the hymn book) to convince outsiders that they are a caring organization. If one is convinced that they are an organization to be trusted then perhaps the ultimate goal of converting new recruits can be reached."
Abstract This paper examines how in his book "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism", Max Weber brings together material published in the form of two long articles in 1904 and 1905. It looks at how in these articles Weber tries to show the beginnings of capitalism and to relate this to the spirit of the Reformation, when Protestantism developed, breaking away from the control of the Catholic Church asserted a religious independence and a different social view that had an influence on economic matters. It discusses how Weber finds that there is a connection between being Protestant and being a business leader and an owner of capital since statistics show this to be a fact in his own time and also to be a historical fact.
From the Paper "Benjamin Franklin represents the colonial era as an icon, and Weber looks to passages from Benjamin Franklin for a sense of the meaning of the spirit of capitalism. Weber finds that the spirit of capitalism involves the desire to make money and then more money and that this is combined with the strict avoidance of all spontaneous enjoyment of life, so it is quite distant from hedonism. Acquisition is the ultimate purpose of life and is no longer subordinated as the means for the satisfaction of material needs. Weber cites several cases to show how the spirit of capitalism infuses different groups in society, such as the laborer or the entrepreneur. "
Abstract This essay discusses Cruz's "Poems, Protest, and a Dream : Selected Writings". The paper focuses on Cruz's argument against the sexism and patriarchy within the Church. As a nun who lived in seventeenth century Mexico, she distinguished herself as a writer and intellectual. Because of this, the Church tried to silence her, since she was outside of her "gender role" in her intellectual pursuits. Thus, one of the strongest pieces in this book is her defense of the status of women, and their right to also pursue intellectual activities.
Abstract This paper discusses Custer's biblically-based, scholarly work, "Witness to Christ". The paper explains that Dr. Custer's purpose in writing this book is to bring the reader close to the message, the culture, and experiences of the 1st century church as recorded in the "Book of Acts". The paper deduces that the book, "Witness to Christ", is a refreshing work, faithful to orthodox and fundamental Christian faith.
From the Paper "Many who undertake to write on spiritual matters do so with an eye to explain spiritual matters in a way that is acceptable to modern man. For these authors, Jesus was a great man, but not the son of God. For this group, the early church was a group of misguided and overly enthusiastic groupies who needed a political leader with divine attributes, and the record of Jesus contained in the New Testament is nothing more than the embellished stories which they told each other in order to find comfort in their political and social misery. Not so for Dr. Stewart Custer. Dr. Custer's treatment of the Book of Acts in his book Witness to Christ is a biblically based scholarly work which expounds on the record while honoring the identity of Christ as the Son of God, and God the son. For bible students who want to get to know the historical context of the early church, while at the same time building an orthodox, fundamental understanding of both the bible and the early church, this book is a powerful addition to a personal library."
Abstract The paper explains that this depends on who the viewer is and the relationship of the viewer and Jesus. The paper discusses that while some people believe Jesus is the Son of God, others believe he was only a prophet. The writer relates that the picture of "Jesus at Thirty-Three" brings many emotions including sadness, compassion, peace, power, joy and love when he/she looks at the picture.
Abstract In this article, the writer studies Martin Luther's reasons for breaking with the Church of Rome. The writer examines Luther's self-questioning of his own fitness for salvation. In this paper, the writer discusses Luther's criticisms of the political and financial corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. The writer also looks at the Protestant Reformation.
From the Paper "There are two conventional views of history. One view sees great men and women as the agents of historical changes, the other view of history is that events shape the circumstances in which the major players emerge. Both of course, have their validity and in fact we need to use both points of view to understand an event as important as the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church gradually in a series of events and decisions that he ... "
Abstract This paper discusses Richard Niebuhr's book, "Christ and Culture," which aims to show readers the best methodology of exploring the nature of Christ. The paper discusses the life of the author and compares him briefly to his brother, Reinhold Niebuhr. The paper then examines the content of Niebuhr's work and his views that are expressed in the book.
From the Paper "Niebuhr, a Protestant theologian is more sympathetic to Luther's view, than the more purely world-denying or world-affirming points of view. Niebuhr suggests that conceptualizing Christ as a cultural transformer in a way that accepts the world's sinfulness, yet still strives to improve the sinful world with social justice, rather than simply accept culture's fallen nature, is the fifth, most superior avenue. And this is perhaps the greatest weakness of the book, for although Niebuhr says all views are equal, his sense that the idea of a transformative Christ who accepts the world's sins yet still strives to be a productive actor in the world in the name of Christ is the highest aim of all Christians. Despite this sense of 'bias' towards certain aspects his typology, Niebuhr's notion of the contextual nature of human culture brings Protestant theology to postmodernism. A Christian reader can acknowledge the fact that culture is relative, that that human standards vary from culture to culture, and nation to nation, while still strive to invigorate those time-bound institutions with eternal truths and religious mission."
Abstract This paper looks at the Church of the United Brethren (UB), which was the very first church denomination in America. The history of the church is detailed, as is its belief system. The differences between this church and the other church establishments that existed at the time are also discussed in detail. The church's belief system is covered in detail, as are the eleven expectations that members of the church are expected to follow. The author also looks at the modern UB, and shows how it is now a worldwide network of congregations.
From the Paper "Members should also follow social standards. A member should be a good citizen of their community, they should take standards against the evil, believe in equal rights and justice for all, agree with the democratic system, affirm the right to serve and bear arms in the National Armed Forces, have the right to refuse to bear arms, advocate abstinence by all people from using tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, attain form gambling, eliminate pornography, be occult, and have decision-making foundations (Getting acquainted with the Church of the United Brethren pg. 50-55)."
